He came back to his home
Decorations upon his chest
Telling of his battles
And how he had passed the test
He wore his uniform with pride
Same as he fought in battles too
Doing what was asked by others
He did it for me and you
He would not speak of his time
That he had served in lands afar
He would not tell of the medals
Asking us to take them for what they are
At night he could be heard crying
Even shouts he would release
Still the sound of battles he fought
Inside him would not cease
He would stoop and cower
When sudden movement he did not know
These were pains inflicted in battle
When looking at our hero did not show
He would walk around in silence
Unsure of what was around him there
This hero that has done his duty
These ugly scars he was forced to bear
When a gun shot he heard aloud
FLashbacks filled his mind complete
Unkowing to all of us that saw him
He lived nightmares that each day would repeat
Then the word came to us all
Our hero was no longer in this pain
He had taken his own life this day
So these wounds would not torment him again
A tear rolls slowly down my cheek
Sorrow that fills my heart with others I share
Because we had so gladly seen our hero return
When truly he was not even there
Many heroes will come home from battle
Inside them horrid memories will remain
Do not look at the medals that they wear
Look inside and see if that person does remain
(C) TAll Mountain Dreamer April 10, 2007
